In this week's edition of Rewind, Robert Smith takes a look back to 1984, just 42 years ago, as Canadian harness racing welcomed the first-ever North America Cup race. Thanks to the benefit of history, we now know that it is annually one of the sport's most anticipated and certainly most exciting races of the year.

Back in February of 1984, Ontario Jockey Club President Jack Kenney issued a major statement regarding the establishment of a new race. A copy of the release is shown below.

The new race was to be known as the "North America Cup," an open race for three-year-old pacers, and it would replace the previous signature event known as the "Queen City Pace," which came into existence in 1964. The upcoming race had an estimated purse of $500,000 and would be held on Monday, July 2, at Greenwood Raceway.

The First N.A. Cup — July 2, 1984

On the evening of Monday, July 2, 1984, a crowd of more than 12,400 was on hand at Greenwood to witness the beginning of a new era, as the richest harness race in Canadian history was being staged. Almost as a tribute to the race's organizers, the eventual winner had ties to both Canada and the U.S. Legal Notice was American-bred but Canadian-owned. The purse for the event, which was staged in three elimination heats and a final, was $596,500, slightly higher than the original announcement.

The win by Legal Notice contained a bittersweet element, as the horse's original owner, Charles Burns, who co-owned the colt with his wife Janet, had passed away before he was able to see this great accomplishment. John Hayes Sr. had purchased Legal Notice as a yearling in Kentucky for $42,000 for the couple.

Following Mr. Burns' passing, and shortly before this race, Hayes secured a half interest in the speedster, which of course proved to be a wise move. Just the week prior to this race, Legal Notice was a solid winner in the Nat Christie Pace held in Calgary. The horse was extremely well cared for by caretaker Pam King.

When quizzed by a reporter after his elimination victory as to what he had paid for his share, John Hayes Sr. declined to answer but did say, "I look a lot smarter now."

As expected, the event drew a large number of starters, and the absolute top reinsmen from both sides of the border were on hand to try for a piece of the huge jackpot. History was immediately in the making, as the existing track record for sophomores of 1:56 was erased in the opening elimination heat when Long Fella, a U.S. invader, stopped the teletimer in 1:55.1.

The previous record was held jointly by a pair of colts closely connected to horseman Doug Arthur, they being Cam Fella and Mystery Skipper. The era of increased "speed" was certainly in evidence, as every mile on the card went well below the old standard of excellence, which was 2:00; in fact, the average time was just slightly above 1:56.

The above photo shows the finish of the final heat of the inaugural North America Cup as Legal Notice hits the wire a winner, edging out Walton Hanover (Sonny Dancer). Owned by Janet Burns, The John Hayes Stable, and The Quarter Century Stable, and driven by Dr. John Hayes, the son of Strike Out–One Ticket won his heat in 1:55.4 and the final in 1:55.3. He thus entered the history books as the winner of the first-ever North America Cup. (Steve Tambosso photo.)

First Heat — $79,533 — Time: 1:55.1

1 - Long Fella (Tom Harmer)
2 - Walton Hanover (H. "Sonny" Dancer Jr.)
3 - Farmstead Fame (William Haughton)

Second Heat — $79,533 — Time: 1:55.4

1 - Legal Notice (Dr. John Hayes)
2 - Guts (Bill O'Donnell)
3 - Mannart Swift (Garth Gordon)

Third Heat — $79,533 — Time: 1:56.3

1 - Embrace Me (Herve Filion)
2 - Roman Lover (Mickey McNichol)
3 - Ideal Zeke (Trevor Ritchie)

Final Heat — $357,900 — Time: 1:55.3

1 - Legal Notice (Hayes) 
2 - Walton Hanover (Dancer)
3 - Long Fella (Harmer)
4 - Guts (O'Donnell)

Footnotes:

Favoured by ideal warm summer weather, it was a great evening of top-notch racing. Headlining the non-Cup events was Greenwood's fastest horse ever at that time, Perfect Out. He won the card's $14,000 Free-For-All in 1:57, with Doug Brown handling the lines for trainer Peter Smith and owners Clive Raymond and George Davey. His all-age record of 1:54.2 was not seriously challenged.

Vintage 1984 Legal Notice Coffee Mug shown above.

Legal Notice's three-year-old campaign ended with $435,253 in earnings and honours as the Ontario Jockey Club's Horse of the Year for 1984.

The win by Legal Notice was but one of many victories by horses connected to Dr. John Hayes and his father, John Sr., and their connections. Their ability to select top performers, either through breeding or purchasing, provided a raft of both good and great horses. They were never the largest outfit in the business, but they were always among the best.

The Hayes' involvement in the sport, dating all the way back to an old trotter named Dannie Rocket, spans some 75 years. As always, most of us enjoy recalling memories of days gone by.

Quote For The Week: "Humour is one of mankind's greatest blessings."

Who Is It?

Can you identify the person shown above? She had a close connection to this famous race described today, although this photo was taken on another occasion.

Who Else Is It?

These two fellows are shown holding the famous N.A. Cup following a pretty memorable victory. The only clue is that they were 18 years younger when this photo was taken than they are now. I have to throw in an easy one occasionally.

(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)